After being released by the Ravens before the season opener, Bobby Rainey found his way back to the team s practice squad after he cleared waivers Monday.

Rainey, an undrafted running back from Western Kentucky, tweeted Monday: Im fine. Im still with the Ravens everyone! Thanks again.

Ramon Harewood starting on the offensive line for the opener vs. the Cincinnati Bengals was a major surprise, but that the Ravens released Rainey was a mild one.

He was replaced by Anthony Allen, who Rainey had clearly beaten out in the preseason for the third running back spot. Coach John Harbaugh talked with Rainey before the opener.

"Bobby Rainey is a big part of our plans, Harbaugh said after Mondays game, hinting the team was hoping to retain him. I texted Bobby before the game. He is, rightly so, kind of upset about it. Bobby is a guy that I cherish.

Rainey, who is similar in stature to 5-8 Ray Rice, was a better receiver out of the backfield, faster than Allen and a much better blocker in pass protection. Running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery lauded Rainey for being advanced as a blocker for a rookie, something that Allen failed at miserably during the preseason.

With special teams coverage being a possible weakness for the Ravens, however, Harbaugh felt compelled to make the move. He'd already lost Emanuel Cook for the season to a broken leg on a special-teams play. It's the one area where Allen was better than Rainey.

"We just did it for special teams reasons, pure and simple," Harbaugh explained Monday night. "Anthony Allen has done a great job on special teams and we made a strategic roster move we hope works out for us."